Packing brace



May 18, 1965 v. G. BJERUM 3,184,048

PACKING BRACE Filed Aug. 6, 1962 INVENTOR. View; Buewvi United States Patent O 3,184,648 PACKING BRACE Verne G. Bierum, 2452. Lovejoy St., Fomona, Calif. Filed Aug. 6, 1962, Ser. No. 214,993 2 Claims. (Cl. 20d-46) This invention relates generally to the packing of items for shipment, and more particularly to the packing of devices, such as automatic washing machines, having movable elements therein, such as the agitator and tub.

While the automatic washing machine has been a great advance to homemakers, it has created new problerns for those concerned with the packing and shipping of such machines. Thus, in those machines making use of an agitator in a rotatable tube, it is customary for the tub and agitator to have a certain degree of freedom of movement in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The restrained freedom thus provided is intended to prevent excessive vibration when an unbalanced tub is rotated at high speed to extract the water from the laundry. When the washing machine is being shipped, however, this same restrained freedom permits the tub to hit against mechanical stops, thus damaging the tub and possibly the attached motor and agitator.

Heretofore transportation organizations, such as moving and storage companies, etc., have attempted to solve the problem by tting a generally circular retaining mem- 1ber into the upper end of the washing compartment, but this has required that such companies maintain a stock of different size and differently Shaped retaining members for the different machines. The retaining members themselves are not inexpensive, and the problem of maintaining an adequate stock is a diiiicult one. Furthermore, the circular retaining members have no provisions for folding, and hence they present a storage problem.

It is therefore a major object of this invention to provide an improved packing or bracing means lfor relatively movable objects.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a packing or bracing means that can be adapted to a wide variety of uses and applications.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a bracking means that is relatively inexpensive to use, yet is suiciently strong to support a relatively heavy object subject to the normal impact and vibration of freight handling. v

Still another object of the invention is to provide such a bracing means that is adjustable to machines and devices of diilerent sizes vand shapes, thereby simplifying warehousing problems for the users of such bracing means.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide such a bracing means that is inexpensive to make, store, and use, while producing superior results.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention wiil become apparent from the following description of a preferred and optional form thereof, and from the drawings illustrating those froms in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper end of an automatic washing machine showing the installation of the preferred form of bracing means in such a washer;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the bracing means installed in such a washing machine, the latter being shown in a fragmentary form;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the two sepali Patented May 18, 1965 rate elements that go to make up the bracing means of the preferred form;

FGURE 4 is a perspective view of the preferred form of bracing means and related elements as they appear when assembled in an individual package;

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational View of the devices used to make up the optional form of bracing means;

FlGURE 6 is a perspective viewY of the bracing means and related equipment of the optional form, enclosed in its corresponding package; and

FIGURE 7 is an end elevational view of a fragment of one of the bracing members, showing the form of material used.

Considering the figures and particularly FIGURE l thereof, the numeral l indicates generally an automatic washing machine of the top loading type having an agitator il mounted for rotation in a tub 12, which tub is also mounted for movement within the machine itl. The agitator il and tub 12 are so mounted that the two are movable as a unit in a horizontal plane, thus reducing the noise and vibration imparted by the machine to the floor, and reducing the wear on the bearings. As previously mentioned, it is this horizontal movement, which is restrained by resilient snubbing means (not shown), that causes problems when the washing machine lil is shipped. However, by restraining the movement of either the agitator 11 or the tub 12, movement of the other will likewise be restrained.

To provide this restraint, two sets of bracing members are used, these bracing members engaging the agitator il, the tub l2, or both, and bracing them against a depending iiange 13 that extends downwardly around the opening of the washing machine lil( As indicated in FGURES 1 and 2, the bracing takes the form of inter-fitting strips of sheet material that engage the agitator 11 at their center, and engage the depending flange 13 at their ends. Thus, a pair of strips i4, notched at the center, extend from left to right across the opening of the washer, the strips being placed so that the notch is in the upper edge of the strips. One strip 14 is placed on the forward side of the agitator 11, while the other strip ld is placed on the rear side of the agitator, and the strips are urged together to engage the sides of the agitator, and are forceddownwardly to wedge firmly within the flange 13. Similar strips 15, likewise provided with a central notch, extend from the front to the rear of the ilange 13 and engage the sides of the agitator l1 in much the same way that the strips 14 do. The strips 15 have the notch on their lower sides, so that the cooperating notches in the strips 1d and 15 permit the strips to lit within a smaller space. The upper strips l5 are likewise wedged into the flange i3, and pressed firmly against the agitator 11,

thus holding and bracing the agitator and the associated drum l2 against forward and backward, and lateral movement.

To hold the brace-s i4 and 15 firmly in position Where they clamp the upper end `of the agitator il, and to prevent bowing of these braces, the various elements are urged together by a tension material, such as a strong pressure sensitive tape. Commercially available tapes, such as those having a plurality of longitudinally extending bers of a material such a-s glass, are very satisfactory, and the tape i6 is preferably wrapped around the upper and lower pieces 14 and i5 in such a manner that all of the pieces are compressed or directed inwardly, toward the center of the agitator l1, as shown in FlGURES 1 and 2. While a pressure sensitive tape is very satisfactory for thepurpose of binding the pieces 14 and 15l together and tothe agitator 11, it will be appreciated that rope, twine, or other flexible material including various forms of tape, can be used with equally good results.

While the pieces 14 and 15, which form the braces for the agitator 11 and tub 12, Vmay be formed of any of a variety of materials, it has been found preferable to form these pieces of a heavy corrugated paper construction.

Thus, as indicatedin FIGURE 7, in which a fragment of one of the braces is illustrated, the brace perferably consists of a plurality of layers of heavy paper separated by layers yof corrugated paper. This is the same genera-l form of construction as is used in heavy cardboard boxes,

'sometimes referred to as corrugated boxes, but the presf ent material `is substantially thicker than the wall of the average, box. desirable and satisfactory results are obtained if the pieces 14 and 15 are of a thickness of approximately 1% to 1 inch thick. Preferably the corrugations run the length f of the pieces 14 and 15, so that they add materially to the strength of the piece, instead of being run crosswise of the piece, in which case there would be a tendency for the pieces to bow or even bend when they are forced into the Y marks 17 are placed on each of the ends. It will be noted v that the marks 17 are stripes extending lacross the braces 14 andV 15 and angularly positioned with respectV to the ends..k Thus, if a cut is made along the edge of oneof the Stripeaand a corresponding cut is made along the edgel of the corresponding strips along theV other end, a generally trapezoidal shape is formed. As a result, when the pieces 14 and 15 are'pushed Vas far into the machine as is practical, the pieces'will be held in place by a wedging action. If the-lower braces 14, for example, are placed generally in the proper location extending across the top of the opening of the washing machine, the closest line within the opening to the machine may be followed and the bracing pieces 14 cut to the proper length. Because of the tapered eiect, the bracing pieces 14 and 15 may easily be inserted in the opening, and the :further movement ofV these braces into the opening will produce a wedging effect that will securely hold the braces, the agitator 11, and the tub 12. t

One of the advantages of the use of the notched braces 14 and 15 is that the ends of the braces bear against the same portions of the washing machine. Thus, if the ends of the lower braces 14 bear against the depending iange 13, it will be clear that the ends of the upper braces 15 will likewise bear'against the same depending flange. If the ends of the braces 14 bear against the tub 12 and the depending flange 13, the ends of the braces 15- will like- Wise bear against the same tub and depending flange. vIf fthe braces 14 and 15 were both straight sections, without any notches, the lower braces 14 would bear against one area, and the upper braces would bear against another area. Thus, it is possible that the lower braces might bear against the tub y11?., while the upper braces might bear against the depending ange 13. This is clearly an undesirable condition. Y

Nevertheless, it is possible in many instances toy make one of the braces, such asthe upper braces 15, a straight section without any notches, narrow enough to t within the notch of the lower braces 14. Such a combination is shown in FIGURE In this combination, the lower braces 14 are similar to those shown in FIGURE 3, but the upper braces, a, are narrower and without the notch had by the braces 15 shown in FIGURE 3. The upper For example, it has been found that very braces 15a Vconsequently do not cover the entire vertical area covered by the lower'braces 14, and they do not cover area that is not covered by the lower braces. Thus, if the braces 14 engage only the depending flange 13, the upper brace 15a will likewise engage only the depending iange. Under these conditions, the braces-15a are usually Y sufficient, are lighter in weight, and can be made for a smaller price. Consequently, a package containing this combination, such as shownrin FIGURE 6, can be sold for less` than a pack containing the braces shown in FIG- As indicated in FIGURES 4 and 6, the entire group of elements going to make up the'necessary combination of lower braces 14, upper braces 15 or 15a and tape 16 can be packaged in a very small space, and readily stored. The combination or pack is of light weight, and has the advantage thata'sin'gle pack can tit substantially all of the automatic washers presently in use. The cost of manufacturing the braces is relatively inexpensive, since there is no special fabricating work to be done other than what can be done by a simple die or cutting tool. The installation of the bracing means is simple and quick, and provides V ing an element movably mounted within a housing, which CA f includes:

Y Ya VI 'irst pair of brace members extending across said element and engaging said container, the length of said brace members being greater than the housing distance spanned, whereby Vsaid brace members are placed under compression, said members b ein'gof za rigid corrugated paper construction capable of being shaped by a pocket knife, the ends of said braces` having converging lines marked thereon to aid in cutting said braces to -a corresponding tapering shape, said -braces having av centrally located notch extending along one edge; second pair of brace members extending across said element generally perpendicularly to said first pair of brace members, and engaging said housing, the length of said second pairrof brace members being greater than the housing distance Yspanned thereby, whereby said second pair of brace members are placed incompression, said second pair of brace members being of a rigid corrugatedrpaper construction capable of being shaped by a pocket` knife, the ends of said braces having converging lines marked thereon to aid in cutting said braces to a corresponding Y tapering shape, said second pair of brace members fitting within the notch in said rst pair of braces; the lower surfaces of said crossed brace members being substantially planar and being spaced a substantial distance from the lower. portion of said-element; and flexible tension means around said first and second pairs of braces and holding said braces together and yto said element. 2. Bracing mean-s for securing the agitator and rotatable hub of an automatic washing machine against move- Y ment during shipment, which includes:

a pair of lower braces formed of corrugated paper material, said braces having a centrally located notch in their upper surfaces, the ends of said braces havingV downwardly converging lines marked thereon to aid` material, said braces having a centrally located notch in their lower surfaces whereby the notch areas of said upper and lower braces may intert, the central areas of said braces engaging and holding said agitator, the ends of said upper braces having downwardly converging lines marked thereon to aid in forming a pair of braces having downwardly tapering ends, said upper braces being capable of being shaped by a pocket knife, said upper and lower braces being substantially perpendicular to each other;

and flexible tension means around said upper and lower braces and holding said braces together and to said agitator.

References Cited by the Examiner UNlTED STATES PATENTS Gagen 206-65 Boeye 206-65 Simmons 217-3 Roos 206-46 Wasyluka 206-46 Wilkinson 206-46 Nason 206-46 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

EARLE I. DRUMMOND, Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,184,048 May 1S, 1965 Verne G. Bjerum hat error appears in the above numbered pat- It is hereby certified t e said Letters Patent should read as ent requiring correction and that th corrected below.

Column 4, line 65, for "hub" read tub Signed and Sealed this 28th day of December 1965.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer 

2. BRACING MEANS FOR SECURING THE AGITATOR AND ROTATABLE HUB OF AN AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE AGAINST MOVEMENT DURING SHIPMENT, WHICH INCLUDES: A PAIR OF LOWER BRACES FORMED OF CORRUGATED PAPER MATERIAL, SAID BRACES HAVING A CENTRALLY LOCATED NOTCH IN THEIR UPPER SURFACES, THE ENDS OF SAID BRACES HAVING DOWNWARDLY CONVERGING LINES MARKED THEREON TO AID ING FORMING A PAIR OF BRACES HAVING DOWNWARDLY TAPERING ENDS, SAID BRACES BEING CAPABLE OF BEING SHAPED BY A POCKET KNIFE; A PAIR OF UPPER BRACES FORMED OF CORRUGATED PAPER MATERIAL, SAID BRACES HAVING A CENTRALLY LOCATED NOTCH IN THEIR LOWER SURFACES WHEREBY THE NOTCH AREAS OF SAID UPPER AND LOWER BRACES MAY INTERFIT, THE CENTRAL AREAS OF SAID BRACES ENGAGING AND HOLDING SAID AGITATOR, THE ENDS OF SAID UPPER BRACES HAVING DOWNWARDLY CONVERGING LINES MARKED THEREON TO AID IN FORMING A PAIR OF BRACES HAVING DOWNWARDLY TAPERING ENDS, SAID UPPER BRACES BEING CAPABLE OF BEING SHAPED BY A POCKET KNIFE, SAID UPPER AND LOWER BRACES BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO EACH OTHER; AND FLEXIBLE TENSION MEANS AROUND SAID UPPER AND LOWER BRACES AND HOLDING SAID BRACES TOGETHER AND TO SAID AGITATOR. 